MILWAUKEE — Acid is a substance that not only burns, but also makes the structure it attacks weaker until it collapses.

On Saturday in the U.S. Cellular Arena, the Connecticut women's basketball team used 6-foot-2 senior forward Tamika Williams as the acid that slowly ate away at Penn State's chance to advance to the Elite 8.

Williams embarrassed the Lady Lions down low all game long, as she easily maneuvered around Penn State's post players. Her 13 points made her one of five Huskies to score in double figures and she led all players with 12 rebounds.

"She really did a great job on the boards and that is a big part of being successful," Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland said. "It's demoralizing that they can't come up with any rebounds. I just think she played very solid. That's how she's played all season."

Williams did take on a supporting role for UConn this season, allowing her teammates to pile up the big numbers and file away the awards. However, don't be fooled by the supporting cast member title she has been given because there is no doubt that she is talented.

The 19th player in school history to score 1,000 points in a career, Williams was a Naismith Player of the Year candidate this season. She also averaged 10 points and 6.6 rebounds in the regular season this year.

However, on a team that has four Naismith candidates and the winner of the award, it is easy to get overlooked by many in the basketball world. It is especially easy to be hidden from media prominence when your two frontcourt teammates are averaging 13.7 and 15.1 points a game. Those numbers belong to Asjha Jones and Swin Cash and the two have combined with Williams to form one of the most feared frontcourts in the country.

Yesterday Cash did not get the shots or rebounds that she is used to and Jones at times was contained. That was when Williams stepped out of the background and took over the game underneath the basket.

"I don't think Swin played all that well (Saturday)," Connecticut women's basketball coach Gino Auriemma said. "(Cash and Williams) have a sense for each other, on what needs to be fulfilled. There was a void that needed to be filled and she filled it."

A major role that Williams played was that of offensive rebounder. Eight of her 12 rebounds came off the offensive glass and kept possessions alive that would slowly allow the Huskies to distance themselves from the Lions.

There were many times during the game when UConn would miss a foul shot only to have a player such as Williams rebound it to give them another chance. There was even one possession when the Huskies missed a foul shot, got the rebound, were fouled, missed the foul shot, rebounded the ball and put the ball in the bucket.

By rebounding on plays that the defense is supposed to have the inside edge, Williams gave her team a decided advantage.

"Tamika played great, especially with the rebounding," teammate Sue Bird said. "I think that was one of the biggest keys to the game."

She may not get all of the accolades, but the best player and the best team in the country gave Williams all of the credit for Saturday's win.